Investigating the long-term effects of unequal access to rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients
Official title: Long Term Outcomes and Cost-Implications of Inequitable Access to AcuteInpatient Rehabilitation
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10996951 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting care at special rehab centers affects the long-term health and costs for people with spinal cord injuries, comparing those who went to these centers with those who didn't, to help improve access to the right rehabilitation services for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $92,756 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HS029776-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996951 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury and have varying access to rehabilitation services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with spinal cord injuries who have already received adequate rehabilitation care at IRFs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how access to acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) affects the long-term health outcomes and healthcare costs for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It aims to compare the rates of complications and healthcare resource use between patients who received rehabilitation at IRFs and those who did not. By analyzing these differences, the study seeks to understand the implications of inequitable access to rehabilitation services on patient recovery and overall healthcare expenses. The findings could inform policies to improve access to necessary rehabilitation care for SCI patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to rehabilitation services for spinal cord injury patients, ultimately enhancing their recovery and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that access to specialized rehabilitation services can significantly improve outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Saieesh Alan — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rao, Saieesh Alan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.